Ricky Church reviews Justice League #2…
Scott Snyder’s second issue of Justice League builds off the intriguing premise and veers into even more fantastic concepts than the first did. Based off Justice League #2, this will be a fun and interesting story with some solid character work.
The biggest thing to come out of this issue is the inclusion of John Stewart as the team’s resident Green Lantern. I already commented in my review for the first issue how this line-up is basically the same in the Justice League/Justice League Unlimited animated series, but Stewart was absent in the issue. Now he’s revealed to be in deep space, but Batman calls to recruit him back into the League. Snyder’s handling of Stewart captures the essence of the character’s stoic persona and state of mind. He utilizes Stewart’s military background well, but also draws upon Stewart’s experience as an architect to emphasize why the team needs someone like Stewart on board.
The story also introduces some crazy elements to it that are pure sci-fi and almost echo Grant Morrison, namely Batman and Hawkgirl shrinking down into tiny pods and going into Superman and Martian Manhunter’s bodies while they explore The Totyality. Yeah, that’s a crazy sentence to take in, but that happens in the issue and shows Snyder’s comfort in going into even crazier territory than he did throughout his Batman run, which was much more grounded by comparison. Add to that Lex’s antics in the Legion of Doom and whatever he’s planning, as well as the possible ties Stewart’s mission for the Guardians has with what’s going on with Earth, and he’s prepping a story fans won’t expect.
Taking over art on the issue is Jorge Jimenez and his art is fantastic from start to finish. His character work is very detailed, from their body language to facial features. The image of Batman speaking through Swamp Thing is memorable, but he also shows a good display of choreography with the opening fight scene against a mutated Killer Croc or how Lex gleefully threatens patrons at a local bar. Alejandro Sanchez’s colours pop off the page and really compliment Jimenez’s images. This is certainly a great follow up to the art from the first issue.
Justice League #2 builds on the momentum of the first issue very well as Snyder does some great character work on the heroes and villains and introduces more crazy elements to the story. Jimenez and Sanchez’s art is great to just look at whether its a character standing still or mid-movement. It’s definitely a promising start to one of DC’s flagship titles in this new run.
Rating: 8/10
Ricky Church
